KenKen Classic
4+

Screenshots

Description

KenKen® - Brain Training Puzzle

Train your brain with KenKen®, the unbelievably fun, exciting and addictive logic and math puzzle! KenKen is an amazing puzzle that is frequently described as “sudoku on steroids.” If you like other brain games such as sudoku, 2048, Threes, Kakuro, Unblock Me, Tricky Test, Tetris, Flow, jigsaw puzzles, word search puzzles, or crossword puzzles, then you will LOVE KenKen!

This is the ONE-AND-ONLY Original KenKen app, created by acclaimed Japanese mathematics educator Tetsuya Miyamoto. Don’t be fooled by unauthorized versions such as mathdoku and calcudoku, and don't get stuck in a sudoku rut. Play KenKen math puzzles today!

KenKen appears daily in the New York Times and hundreds of other publications around the globe. NY Times puzzle editor, Will Shortz, calls KenKen "the most addictive puzzle since sudoku."

There are virtually unlimited KenKen puzzles available to you on this app. The first 50 are included FREE with the download. If you need more...no problem! Just order them and they'll appear immediately. YOU select the size, difficulty level, and operations.

KenKen Classic includes:- 50 FREE fun math puzzles of every size and difficulty level- Unlimited FREE 3x3 size puzzles to learn from and enjoy- Virtually unlimited puzzles, ranging from 3x3 to 9x9 grids, from Easy to Expert- A variety of color schemes and music (you can even set your own music to play in the background)- 3 input modes for digits and notes- Great extra features such as Hints, Check, Undo, Redo, Reset, Pause, and Timer- Online leaderboards- Ability to post results directly to Twitter- Ability to email results and invite friends

What’s New

Version History

2.6

Jul 9, 2018

Improved performance and minor bug fixes.

2.5

Apr 13, 2018

Behind the scenes improvements to make puzzle play better and faster, and puzzle delivery better.

2.3

Dec 12, 2017

Bug fixes and general improvements.

2.2

Aug 3, 2017

Just making things better.

2.1

Jul 26, 2017

Our loyal fans think KenKen's great but we know we can always improve. To allow for smoother, easier puzzle play, we made some tweaks you probably won’t notice, but we'll know they’re there…and better. Have fun!

2.0

Apr 26, 2017

Improved puzzle loading process.

1.99

Apr 24, 2017

Performance improvements and bug fixes.

1.96

May 2, 2016

Smoother play...quicker response!

1.94

Feb 4, 2016

Great news for puzzle purchasers! We added a COMPLIMENTARY registration service so you never lose your puzzles, even if you change or upgrade your device.

1.93

Oct 6, 2015

- Great news...new downloads now come with 50 free puzzles!- Interested in unlimited KenKens of all sizes and difficulty levels? You can now get an annual subscription...just try not to get addicted.- This app is now optimized for iOS 9.0. Fewer bugs, better experience.

1.88

Jul 27, 2015

To make playing even more enjoyable, all ads, including banners, are now eliminated if you make any purchase at all. It's our way of saying "Thank you!"

1.86

Apr 15, 2015

Fixed compatibility with iOS 6 devices...you're good to go!

1.85

Apr 4, 2015

- landscape mode start bug fix

1.80

Apr 3, 2015

- You can now protect your purchase! Use our new registration feature when you add puzzles.- We fixed some minor bugs you probably never even noticed. But we did.

1.71

Apr 25, 2014

- Speedier puzzle loading and game play- Improved memory management- General fixes for an even more enjoyable experience

1.70

1.69

Feb 27, 2014

The last update caused delays on some devices. This should take care of the few of you who had problems...sorry.

1.68

Feb 25, 2014

- Though we're sure you don't ever make mistakes, we still thought we should improve the Undo and Redo functions...so we did.- A few users complained about infrequent random crashes. Now, they should happen even less frequently (or hopefully not at all!).- The Notes function, both for "Possible" and "Impossible" entries, is now even better. Just double tap or triple tap...or select the green or red notepads on the bottom.

1.67

Dec 13, 2013

- We fixed a small bug that caused rare crashes for some users.- For those who can't get enough of KenKen, your in-app purchases should now appear immediately...no more waiting.- A great new Auto Save feature is now available under Settings. Turn it on and you'll NEVER lose any of your hard work.- Remember...you can always select your own music to play in the background while KenKen'ing. Select your songs under Settings.

1.66

Nov 21, 2013

- Some users of v. 1.65 experienced sluggish performance and (we're so sorry!) crashes. This version fixes all these problems...you should all be fine now!- For users of version 1.65, we are awarding each and every one of you with 10 FREE extra puzzles to make up for the issues you may have had. If you didn't have any problems, you're in luck anyway. Thanks for playing.- KenKen is the best brain exercise there is. We'll play more KenKen ourselves to avoid any problems in the future.

1.65

Nov 15, 2013

- Enjoy an even better puzzling experience as a result of minor bug fixes and improvements with iOS 7 compatibility.- Oh...and we fixed the mute button. No issues now playing KenKen with (or without) your music.

1.64

Aug 28, 2013

-Play music from your library or podcasts in the background while solving-Minor bug fixes and improved game performance-New and more challenging puzzles added to database

1.63

Jul 18, 2013

- performance optimizations - bug fixes

1.62

Apr 30, 2013

- bug fixes

1.61

Mar 27, 2013

- Larger puzzle numbers for iPad- Important bug fixes

Jul 9, 2018

Version 2.6

Improved performance and minor bug fixes.

Ratings and Reviews

4.6 out of 5

776 Ratings

776 Ratings

Swier1954
,07/10/2018

Addicted but forced to stop playing by bugs.

I have been playing for many years, 2-5 puzzles per day. I only play expert and once I have played all expert offered, there are no more, even though I have purchased new puzzles. I have no wish to play any but expert, but am unable to do so as only so many are available. Also, the now 10-15 minute download time for EACH puzzle is unacceptable to me. Also, the supposedly ad free puzzles, are not ad free at all, forcing one to "buy" as the only alternative, and unable to get back to ken ken. Frustration complete. Please clean up this app, and give me back the most enjoyable, and healthy, experience of my day. You guys! I haven't had any 789-hard, expert for months. But now I'm doing old puzzles in those categories and halfway through being sent back. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. SEND NEW 789- hard, expert.

Thank you thank you for replenishing my 9 Expert as I work. It’s made all the difference. I can now do my 5/day without worrying about running out.

Developer Response
,04/10/2017

Thank you for playing KenKen. We apologize for any problem you're having. The app has virtually unlimited puzzles of all sizes and types, which are automatically replenished as you play (*internet connection required). Most issues are resolved with a delete and reinstall of the app. Let us know if you need further instructions how to delete the app completely. You will not incur any charge, and your available puzzles will be reinstated. Let us know if the reinstall resolves the issue.

Swier1954
,07/10/2018

Addicted but forced to stop playing by bugs.

I have been playing for many years, 2-5 puzzles per day. I only play expert and once I have played all expert offered, there are no more, even though I have purchased new puzzles. I have no wish to play any but expert, but am unable to do so as only so many are available. Also, the now 10-15 minute download time for EACH puzzle is unacceptable to me. Also, the supposedly ad free puzzles, are not ad free at all, forcing one to "buy" as the only alternative, and unable to get back to ken ken. Frustration complete. Please clean up this app, and give me back the most enjoyable, and healthy, experience of my day. You guys! I haven't had any 789-hard, expert for months. But now I'm doing old puzzles in those categories and halfway through being sent back. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. SEND NEW 789- hard, expert.

Thank you thank you for replenishing my 9 Expert as I work. It’s made all the difference. I can now do my 5/day without worrying about running out.

Developer Response
,04/10/2017

Thank you for playing KenKen. We apologize for any problem you're having. The app has virtually unlimited puzzles of all sizes and types, which are automatically replenished as you play (*internet connection required). Most issues are resolved with a delete and reinstall of the app. Let us know if you need further instructions how to delete the app completely. You will not incur any charge, and your available puzzles will be reinstated. Let us know if the reinstall resolves the issue.

AIHReview
,11/08/2017

Many games can't be solved without guessing.

The games are machine generated, and many (at the expert level, at least) require guessing to solve. Kenken is a LOGIC game, not a guessing game. The UI is also frustratingly bad, requiring multiple taps to do simple things like change note color, and it's easy to change notes inadvertantly.

The developer's response is simply not true. I've played several games, for example, where the last 10 moves or so could be played out two ways, both of which yielded a correct result, but only one of which was deemed as a win. Several games were simply not solvable without playing out a guess until it failed, then backing out to the decision and choosing the other alternative. That's not "considering," it's guessing. No machine-generated game should be posted if it hasn't been solved by a human player who can't project 20 moves out. Also, the UI becomes more and more frustrating over time.

At present, this is the only alternative on the app store, given that the older (and excellent) "Will Short" app doesn't run under the most recent iOS version, but it's not a great alternative. I'll move to a competitor in a heartbeat if an alternative appears in the store.

Developer Response
,11/13/2017

Thank you for playing KenKen. Our KenKen puzzles are all composed by a computer program called the Kenerator, which has been developed using advanced artificial intelligence techniques. The Kenerator checks every puzzle to ensure that the totals in all the cages are correct, and that no row or column has the same numbermore than once. The Kenerator also verifies that there is only one solution to each puzzle. Sometimes solvers contact us, believing they have found a flaw in a puzzle, but up to now no puzzle generated by the Kenerator has ever been found to have an error. We would, of course, want to know if an error did exist in any of our puzzles, and so we do not wish to discourage solvers from contacting us. If you ever find a game that's "not solvable" or you think has an alternative solution, please take a screen shot and send it to us at info@KenKen.com and we can respond with the solving technique and/or correct solution.

AIHReview
,11/08/2017

Many games can't be solved without guessing.

The games are machine generated, and many (at the expert level, at least) require guessing to solve. Kenken is a LOGIC game, not a guessing game. The UI is also frustratingly bad, requiring multiple taps to do simple things like change note color, and it's easy to change notes inadvertantly.

The developer's response is simply not true. I've played several games, for example, where the last 10 moves or so could be played out two ways, both of which yielded a correct result, but only one of which was deemed as a win. Several games were simply not solvable without playing out a guess until it failed, then backing out to the decision and choosing the other alternative. That's not "considering," it's guessing. No machine-generated game should be posted if it hasn't been solved by a human player who can't project 20 moves out. Also, the UI becomes more and more frustrating over time.

At present, this is the only alternative on the app store, given that the older (and excellent) "Will Short" app doesn't run under the most recent iOS version, but it's not a great alternative. I'll move to a competitor in a heartbeat if an alternative appears in the store.

Developer Response
,11/13/2017

Thank you for playing KenKen. Our KenKen puzzles are all composed by a computer program called the Kenerator, which has been developed using advanced artificial intelligence techniques. The Kenerator checks every puzzle to ensure that the totals in all the cages are correct, and that no row or column has the same numbermore than once. The Kenerator also verifies that there is only one solution to each puzzle. Sometimes solvers contact us, believing they have found a flaw in a puzzle, but up to now no puzzle generated by the Kenerator has ever been found to have an error. We would, of course, want to know if an error did exist in any of our puzzles, and so we do not wish to discourage solvers from contacting us. If you ever find a game that's "not solvable" or you think has an alternative solution, please take a screen shot and send it to us at info@KenKen.com and we can respond with the solving technique and/or correct solution.

dscovry
,10/25/2018

Great App, Great Support

KenKen is my “Go To” app. I almost only work them on my iPad and primarily 9X Medium level, which I usually solve between 15-30 minutes. I don’t like spending much more time than that on a single puzzle, which is why I don’t do higher level puzzles on a regular basis. I limit my iPhone to 7X Med because of the size of the screen on bigger puzzles. Great for killing time in the doctor’s office. I find KenKen a great way to “clear my head” when I’m overthinking a problem at home or work. After 2 or 3 puzzles, the solution to the problem at hand seems to “pop” into my head. I’ve had a few problems with earlier releases, but the support was great and they addressed them quickly.

dscovry
,10/25/2018

Great App, Great Support

KenKen is my “Go To” app. I almost only work them on my iPad and primarily 9X Medium level, which I usually solve between 15-30 minutes. I don’t like spending much more time than that on a single puzzle, which is why I don’t do higher level puzzles on a regular basis. I limit my iPhone to 7X Med because of the size of the screen on bigger puzzles. Great for killing time in the doctor’s office. I find KenKen a great way to “clear my head” when I’m overthinking a problem at home or work. After 2 or 3 puzzles, the solution to the problem at hand seems to “pop” into my head. I’ve had a few problems with earlier releases, but the support was great and they addressed them quickly.